Introduction
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 100 different types of HPV are infected, and over 30 million Americans. Although most HPV-infected people have no symptoms, the virus can cause cervical cancer in women and other cancers in both men and women (Bassett, 2020). Other health issues associated with HPV include genital warts, infertility, and reduced fertility. To help prevent the spread of HPV and protect people from developing cancer due to the virus, the CDC has set a goal of eliminating HPV-related cancers in healthy women aged 25 to 64 in the United States by 2030 (Bosch et al., 2015). By 2030, the agency hopes to reduce the prevalence of other HPV-related health conditions by 30% among women aged 18 to 24 and 60% among women aged 25 to 34 (Hariton & Locascio, 2018). This essay will provide a sociocultural reflection on HPV policy, the faith worldview, and the social-economic implications of eliminating HPV worldwide by 2020/2030.
Sociocultural Ethical Implications of the HPV Health-related Policy
The health-related policy of HPV vaccination for healthy people has some sociocultural ethical implications. One critical question is whether it is fair to immunize healthy people against a disease they may never contract (Bosch et al., 2015). Another concern is the vaccine’s potential for adverse side effects, which could do more harm than good (Hariton & Locascio, 2018). There is also the question of whether the HPV vaccine will lead to more promiscuity among young people, who may believe they are now immune to the virus(Bosch et al., 2015). These issues must be considered before implementing any HPV vaccination health policy. It is critical to ensure that the policy is ethical, in line with social values, and effective in preventing disease spread.
Faith Worldview of the Health Policy
According to the Faith worldview of health policy, individuals are responsible for their health and well-being. This includes caring for their bodies and minds and adopting a healthy lifestyle. This worldview also believes that individuals are responsible for caring for others and that society has a role to play in promoting and protecting health. It also supports using evidence-based approaches to health policymaking and preventative measures to reduce disease prevalence(Markowitz, 2014).
Furthermore, the Faith worldview believes that everyone has a role to play in promoting healthy communities and that society should collaborate to address social determinants of health. It also holds that humans are made in God’s image and that we are called to live in harmony with nature. This means we should work to protect the environment, promote social justice, and assist those in need. This worldview is founded on compassion, hope, forgiveness, and love. It believes these principles can help us achieve our health policy objectives (Swihart et al., 2021).
Based on this principle to the 2020/2030 HPV policy for healthy people, the Faith worldview would support a policy that focuses on educating people about HPV and its risks. This would entail including HPV information in school health education curricula and public health websites (Best et al., 2019). The Faith worldview would also support a policy that encourages people to vaccinate against HPV, particularly young people most vulnerable to the disease. Furthermore, the Faith worldview would support a policy that encourages people to get tested for HPV regularly and seek treatment if infected. Finally, the Faith worldview would support a policy encouraging people to avoid sexual contact with HPV-infected people(Hariton & Locascio, 2018).
The legal, social, and economic implications of the policy
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is one of the most controversial vaccines in recent years. The HPV vaccine is a preventative measure against the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is given to girls and young women as young as nine and is safe and effective (Lahijani et al., 2021). However, some argue that the HPV vaccine has potential legal, social, and economic implications.
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Legal Implications
Some argue that the HPV vaccine should not be mandatory, as it could potentially infringe on an individual’s right to bodily autonomy. Others argue that because the HPV virus is sexually transmitted, vaccinating children could be seen as condoning pre-marital sex. Some concerns are that mandating the HPV vaccine could lead to more parents opting out of vaccinating their children altogether (Bassett, 2020).
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Social Implications
There are also social implications to consider with the HPV vaccine. Some worry that vaccinating girls at such a young age could send the message that they are expected to be sexually active at a young age. There is also concern that boys will not feel the need to get vaccinated if they know that girls will be vaccinated, which could lead to further disparities in health outcomes between men and women (Lahijani et al., 2021).
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Economic Implication
Finally, there are economic implications to consider with the HPV vaccine. The cost of the HPV vaccine can be prohibitive for some families, and there is concern that mandating the vaccine could further exacerbate socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes. For example, low-income families cannot afford the HPV vaccine, so their children could be at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer(Bosch et al., 2015).
Exploring the faith perspective on the HPV Health policy
A faith worldview would likely lend a perspective of compassion and care for those affected by the public health problem of HPV, which may also extend to working toward preventing HPV through education and awareness. Faith communities may also advocate for HPV vaccination programs to protect populations from the health risks associated with the virus (Lahijani et al., 2021). Besides, faith communities may also work towards creating social support systems for those affected by HPV, such as providing counseling and support groups. Faith communities may play an essential role in advocating for policies that will improve the public health of populations affected by HPV (Best et al., 2019).
Furthermore, a faith worldview may also lend a perspective of social justice and concern for the impact of HPV on marginalized populations, such as low-income individuals and communities of color (Best et al., 2019). Faith communities may advocate for equitable access to HPV vaccination programs and other health-related services for those affected by the virus (Lahijani et al., 2021). Additionally, faith communities may work towards creating social support systems to help those affected by HPV cope with the health risks and social stigma associated with the virus. In addition, faith communities may also work to advocate for public policies that will improve the health of populations affected by HPV(Hariton & Locascio, 2018).
A personal reflection on the relationship between HPV health policy and environmental justice
There are many ways that the HPV vaccine can help to improve and maintain a healthy environment. One way is by reducing the number of cases of HPV-related cancers, which can help to reduce health disparities. Another way is by preventing the spread of HPV, which can help reduce the number of people exposed to the virus and at risk for developing cancer (Chen & Wong, 2019).
The HPV vaccine is an essential tool in the fight against cancer, and as many people as possible must be vaccinated. However, some groups of people are at higher risk for HPV-related cancers, including those who are immune-compromised or have other health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus(Hariton & Locascio, 2018). Hence, it is vital to continue to work on improving access to the HPV vaccine so that everyone has a chance to receive it.
Conclusion
This paper investigated HPV and how it affects people of all ages. It has also looked into the possibility of using vaccination to prevent HPV infections. While there is no guarantee that all HPV infections can be avoided, the CDC recommends that humans get vaccinated as one of the best ways to protect themselves from this virus. Although HPV can cause various health issues, many people can live a very healthy life with early detection and treatment. As a result, everyone must be aware of HPV and get vaccinated if they are at risk. Preventing HPV is the best way to protect oneself, and it is something that everyone should think about and reflect on.
References
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